About
As a cancer immunologist, Mark Cragg's research uncovers how the immune system interacts with cancer cells and how it can be harnessed in the form of immunotherapy to treat malignancy; particularly by using drugs called monoclonal antibodies. Underpinning this biology are a family of receptors called Fc receptors which serve as a link between the antibodies and the immune cells. Adopting a multi-disciplinary approach, his research group interacts widely with other members of Cancer Sciences, the Faculty of Medicine, the University, and colleagues in academia and industry, both nationally and internationally.
Research
Research groups
Research interests
- Antibody biology
- Antibody engineering
- Cancer Immunotherapy
- Receptor Biology
Current research
The research group is interested in two main areas - antibodies and small molecule inhibitors with the aim of understanding how these therapeutics function to delete tumour cells and how they might be augmented.
The research group typically comprises 8-10 Postdoctoral fellows, several research assistants, 6-8 PhD students and 1-2 clinical research fellows, with many co-managed with other members of the Antibody and Vaccine Group.
Research projects
Active projects
Completed projects
Publications
Teaching
Integrated PhD Cancer Pathway: Pathway Director and Lecturer on Cell Biology and Immunology modules (2011 - )
Director MRC DTP: (2020 - )
Advanced Immunology (Biol3037 and 6068): (2011 - ) Lecturer
NatSci3006: (2020 - ) Lecturer
BIOL3058: (2017 - ) Dragon
Assessor of MedSci projects
Supervisor of BMedSci student
Personal academic Tutor for UGR Medical students
External roles and responsibilities
Biography
Mark Cragg graduated from Bath University in 1994 with a first class degree in Biochemistry following placements at Glaxo Wellcome and Northeastern University, Boston. He then undertook a PhD in Immunology and Immunochemistry in Cancer Sciences. Following his PhD, he was awarded a career track fellowship within the School of Medicine and subsequently obtained a prestigious fellowship with the Leukaemia Research Fund (now Blood Cancer UK), with a period of study in the world-class laboratory of Andreas Strasser at the Walter and Eliza Hall institute in Melbourne. He returned to the UK in 2007, to establish his own research group within Cancer Sciences as a member of the Antibody and Vaccine Group (AVG) based in the Centre for Cancer Immunology.
His research group is interested in two main areas - antibodies and small molecule inhibitors with the aim of understanding how these therapeutics function to delete tumour cells and how they might be augmented. Throughout the strategy undertaken by the group is highly translational with iterative cycling between in vitro experiments, appropriate in vivo model systems and primary clinical material.
Prizes
- University of Southampton Vice-Chancellor's Award - Research Impact (2017)
- University of Southampton Vice-Chancellors Award for 'Support and Service to the University' as part of The Cancer Immunology Campaign Team (2018)
- Koch Institute at MIT Image Award (2016)
- Deans Award for the Most Supportive PI (2020)
- Fellow of Academy of Medical Sciences (2024)